Chapter Seven: Merely a Side Path

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Within the city, in taverns and restaurants…

“Hey, hurry and go see! Something big is happening at the city gate!”

“What’s so big? Isn’t it just those sects recruiting disciples? What’s that got to do with us?”

“Someone saw Wang Sheng outside the city. That guy is incredible—he crippled that scoundrel from the Qi family right then and there.”

“No way, evil has finally met its retribution! Tell us what happened next!”

“As for the end, I’m not sure either. Want to go see together?”

“Absolutely, let’s go now!”

…

As the news spread like wildfire, a wave of excitement swept through the gathering places of the cultivators, and many hurried out of the city to witness Wang Sheng, the lone cultivator challenging the limits.

Of course, caught unprepared, the city guards were quickly mobilized, strengthening the defense at the gates.

One after another, guards in tidy armor, wielding heavy shields and long spears, formed a barrier inside the gate.

“Quiet! Due to unforeseen events, the toll to leave the city is now fifty silver coins per person,” shouted a guard holding a shield.

At his announcement, the cultivators inside the city erupted in outrage.

“That’s daylight robbery! It was always just ten coins before!”

“Exactly.”

“Making dirty money—you’ll get what’s coming to you!”

…

At that moment, a middle-aged man wearing a bronze helmet with a lion’s tail and a silver chainmail stepped out from the center of the guards.

“Hmph!”

His icy voice struck fear into the hearts of those less powerful cultivators, like a drumbeat reverberating through their chests.

A thick blood-red energy surged around him. With a single step, a cultivator who had been slowly backing away began to bleed from the lips.

“Mercy…”

Feeling the cold, deathlike gaze, the cultivator collapsed on the ground.

“I am Hun Shang, commander of the city guard. Any objections?”

The cultivators exchanged glances, but soon bowed their heads in silence.

Perhaps as arranged, most of those being blocked were roaming cultivators or those of lesser strength, while those with power and standing passed unimpeded.

Hun Shang’s expression remained impassive as he gazed at the cultivators—this was the law of strength.

…

People poured out from the city in a steady stream.

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Witnessing the battered state of Qi Lianchuang, the crowd erupted in cheers—some even spat at him as he passed.

In the end, it was his sole remaining attendant who struggled to his feet and quickly carried Qi Lianchuang back into the city.

That episode passed swiftly, and soon all eyes turned to Wang Sheng and the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Faces filled with envy, the crowd murmured amongst themselves…

“Greetings, Senior Wang Sheng. I am Pei Xu, an inner disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect. I have long heard of your great name—it is an honor!” Having seen how decisively Wang Sheng dealt with Qi Lianchuang, the disciples who’d been watching from the sidelines could no longer hold back and approached him.

Even before the men arrived, Pei Xu’s deep, resonant voice rang out around the gate.

“You flatter me. What brings you to Chang’an?” Wang Sheng asked in a low voice, not even glancing at the approaching disciples.

Though he’d just made his move, his expression remained calm and untroubled, as if the stares of countless cultivators meant nothing to him. If not for the fact that these were disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, he probably wouldn’t have bothered to speak.

The disciples, though a little displeased by his attitude, still bowed respectfully.

“We come on Elder Le’s orders, to recruit talent for the sect and bring in new blood,” Pei Xu replied, tightening his grip on his sword, his face growing solemn.

“I see.”

Turning, Wang Sheng regarded them with a cool gaze and nodded.

He had already encountered several groups before, each giving much the same answer.

But this was not his main purpose for coming—though it did remind him of a friend’s words…

A subtle smile touched his lips as he looked up at the sky.

“You up there, little brother, how much longer do you intend to watch?”

His voice thundered through the clouds, yet it was perfectly controlled, not harming a single bystander.

“Ahem, I thought you’d all forgotten about me!” From high above came a few coughs, followed by Tian Ming’s cheerful voice.

Lounging in the sky, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, Tian Ming was clearly in his element.

“Don’t expect me to come down! Who knows if you’ll all gang up and rob me of my treasures?” he declared, his expression turning serious.

Wang Sheng: “Uh…”

The gathered cultivators: …

What a joke—even if they wanted to, Wang Sheng would never join them. Given his status, even if they had the courage, they wouldn’t dare.

“Tian Hao.”

Shaking his head, Wang Sheng smiled meaningfully.

“What?” At the sound of that name, Tian Ming immediately descended from the sky.

The bamboo dragonfly he’d been using vanished the moment he touched the ground.

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“How did you know that name, Senior?” Tian Ming cupped his hands in respectful salute, his face full of questions.

It’s one thing to feel detached when looking down from above, but faced with this war-god-like figure, Tian Ming was suddenly overwhelmed, unable to move.

“He asked me to protect you.” Wang Sheng nodded, recalling Tian Hao’s words from earlier…

…

“Brother, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it? Just say the word—Wang Sheng would never refuse you!”

“Master Xiao just passed through. Wang Sheng, do you really think there are those so-called Chosen Ones, disrupting the world order and blessed by fate?”

“Perhaps…”

“Outside Chang’an, there’s a man named Tian Ming… I’ve met him before. Though his cultivation is low, he is truly extraordinary—fearless and bold enough to break the rules of the world… If he’s willing, bring him into the Heavenly Sword Sect…”

…

Hearing this, a wave of warmth rose in Tian Ming’s heart. He hadn’t expected that, after such a brief acquaintance, these people would cause such a stir for a nobody like him—even inviting the famed Wang Sheng to protect him.

He’d suspected on the boat that their identities weren’t ordinary, but now he realized they were far more impressive than he’d imagined.

“Thank you for your care. I never dreamed Brother Hao would go to such lengths for a nobody like me—please convey my gratitude to him, Senior.”

Remembering the etiquette of the martial world, Tian Ming quickly bowed deeply.

“Haha, think nothing of it—I haven’t helped you at all, have I? Didn’t you handle everything yourself?” Wang Sheng laughed heartily.

Tian Ming called Hao “big brother” and addressed him as “senior”—Wang Sheng couldn’t help feeling a little pleased with himself. If Tian Hao knew, it would be quite a scene.

“Sigh… don’t mention it, it was just a little trick. If not for you, Senior, I wouldn’t have made it this far.” Tian Ming rubbed his head and smiled wryly.

Doraemon: “Hmph, if you’re so capable, don’t use my gadgets!”

Tian Ming: “I wasn’t talking about you, I meant myself.”

Doraemon: “Your gadgets are confiscated for a week.”

Tian Ming… Life is truly hard.

…

Of course, these conversations and his tears all remained inside Tian Ming’s heart; outwardly, he kept smiling and chatting with Senior Wang Sheng. If he could put his feelings into words, it would be—life is hard.

“You’ve done well, Tian Ming. You must understand—only those at the Void Realm or those who cultivate the Sword Flight art can soar through the skies, and you’re only at the Martial Artist stage…”

By the end, Wang Sheng was at a loss for words. Comparing yourself to others is truly vexing—he himself had practiced for three months before mastering Sword Flight.

Tian Ming…

At that moment, Tian Ming fell silent as well. He understood just how discouraging this was.

He’d worked so hard every day, yet still couldn’t match the ease with which others accomplished things—such was reality.